Just Piddlin Build 9

It's been awhile, since I posted last. We have been car shopping. I hate it, I hate it, I hate it.  No we haven't bought anything yet.  It's nice not to have any car payments. I hate to give that up. We'll looking for a bargain, and thus far, not one has been found. That's ok. We'll just keep driving what we have and keep looking.

Just Piddlin has insulation on the inside now, and we are putting white paneling on the ceiling and walls. It the kind that you put in bathrooms, that have a slick finish just like dry erase boards. Our thought was, put the grandkids in there just dry erase markers then just clean the walls. HA!

More Later, it's not long now!

Teardrop Build 8

This weekend was a busy one. We visited our son Zach and Austin, his step son, ( our step grandson), and put primer and one finish coat on "Just Piddlin". It won't be long now until we will be able to take her out for a trip.

We have settled on these colors for Just Piddlin: Yellow for the body and Red and Purple for the trim. Oh yeah! You will be able to see us a comin'!

Austin and I in deep discussion.

Zach taking it all in.

My wife,  ever the teacher, straightening out what I just told Austin.

All sanded and primer being applied.

Yellow, I'm into the primary colors! 

Teardrop Build Part 7

It's been awhile since I posted.  Just life running it's course. You know, allergies, trips to see grandkids, work, etc. So here are a few pictures of where I at in the process.

The door is on and works!

I made the door as light as possible. I will insulate and cover later.

Electrical outlet cover

Just Piddlin" with windows and trim.

Trim for the front.

My beautiful helper caulking and helping me with the trim. Everything is sanded and now ready for paint.

Teardrop Build 6 Addendum

Because of fighting off a cold all week, I didn't accomplish much, but that's ok. I just piddled around some.

I did get the hinges fitted on the a/c door, along with the handle and latch for the inside. I am starting the prep work to seal the plywood. I will be using a special sealer I found from Seattle. It's a two part epoxy. This same company also makes a two part epoxy filler I will be using.

Most important of all, we babysat grandkids a while back, and I included a couple of pictures of Maiya and my beautiful wife Janet.

My beautiful wife and Maiya

A sleeping angel.

Finally a functioning door

I just love the name "The Rot Doctor" I wonder if he is a real doctor?

Teardrop Build Part 6 Random Thoughts

Thought #1
It's early in the morning, 6:15 or so. I've had a big mug of coffee,  read my email, and checked the high school football scores I keep up with. Sometimes in the still of morning I listen to some music, really  old stuff that nobody likes but me, and think about the day ahead and the one I left behind.

Thought #2
I was just thinking about why I have the need to build this trailer. I don't know if I can put that into words. After the love I have for God, my wife, and family, comes this passion for music, photography and making and shaping things out of wood. Diverse hobbies, yes, but as I am saying more and more to people, "I've always been a little uneven." Being uneven and piddling just seem to go together. I know it's deep thought for so early in the morning, maybe it's the caffeine that's got my brain spinning this morning.

Thought #3
My english teacher's from high school must be shaking their heads, if they read this. I know, it's not the way to organize a paper. But being uneven gives me license to do things like this. My friends at the school I work with say I am a "hippy" deep down inside. Oh well, I guess it could be worse.

Thought #4
Because of allergies and now a head cold, I haven't worked on the trailer very much this week. Today I plan on making the door for the back, and start the process of filling in all of the screw holes, and various cracks and joints.

Thought #5
I received am email some days ago, asking for a recipe I hadn't thought about in years. The recipe is called "Gracie's Sweet Bread." Back in the late 90's I went to northern Mexico, the Chihuahua Desert, during the month of June. There is a little village called Porvenier, right across the Rio Grande river. I was part of group that helped do some much needed repair work to a little church, that was located in the village. Gracie was a mexican lady who spoke very little english. In appreciation for what we had done, she made us this wonderful bread. Through an interpreter and hand signals, she shared the recipe with me. Like any good cook, Gracie didn't really measure anything, she added a little of this and of that. It took awhile through trial and error to get proper amounts for each ingredient. What fun it was, wild times, that bring back all kinds of memories. I have made this bread several things for my family and friends. What memories that brings back.

My point, whether it's building a teardrop or playing a game of cards with your kids. Remember to share those special moments of your life, with your family and friends. Write them down before you lose them. Everyone of us have special moments that need to be shared with our children, family and friends.

When a person passes away there's always a date marking the length of their life.
Example John Smith  June 1, 1954 - July 12, 2013.

Make your life mean something in the dash

Teardrop Build Part 5- It's Skinned!

This week I continued with my teardrop build. I was able to finish the opening for the a/c unit framed, and make the door for it. Also, after thinking about how to frame the roof structure, and being indecisive, I went forward with my original plan. I was concerned about the strength of the 2X2's I would be using for the roof. But after putting all the pieces together with glue and screws, it is really very light and strong. The roof and back now have plywood on them. My little trailer feels very sturdy and solid now.

The next step in the process is painting the inside. I've got half a gallon of left over paint, which should give me at least one coat, maybe two. I going to cover the window openings with plastic and spray paint the inside. No insulation or paneling at this point. Where I live is southeast Texas, and it may stay in the 90's until December. Besides, I bought the smallest a/c I could find, and it's rated at 5000 btu's. It should freeze us out. I think I'll take it out a couple of times and see what things I need to add or change, as I use it "Just Piddle'n."

Yep, "Just Piddle'n" is the name we came up with. Everyone needs to piddle. What's your piddle?

Roof framing

A/C opening framed, with door.

The roof is finally done.

The back with plywood installed.

A view of the roof, from the inside.

Teardrop Build Part 4

It's Labor Day, 2013,  and it is hot today. I spent most of my time ripping and cutting boards for the framing on the teardrop. I was able to fit and build the frame for the a/c unit that I will be installing, and also framed both windows. I didn't work long today. It was just too hot. After all, when piddling get's hot and tiring, it is no longer piddling but work. No work on Labor Day.

This week I hope to get the door for the a/c unit built,  the roof framing put in place, and start on the back wall of the teardrop.

This evening, we had my sister over, along with my mom and dad for a supper of hot chili dogs, chips, homemade peach cobbler, and ice cream. Now?, well, it's back to piddling and then work tomorrow.